Arvutatakse

Arvutatakse is a form of Estonian that functions as the passive present tense of the verb arvutada, meaning to calculate. It is used to express that something is calculated, typically by an unspecified agent such as a computer, a calculator, or a person. The form often appears in scientific, mathematical, and statistical texts to describe steps in a method or process where the doer is not named.

Formation and usage: Arvutatakse is created by adding the passive suffix -atakse to the stem arvuta-. It functions as a impersonal construction, leaving the subject implicit. Common contexts include describing computational steps or results: for example, "Tulemus arvutatakse automaatselt programmi poolt" (the result is calculated automatically by the program). Another typical sentence is "Käibe suurus arvutatakse valemiga," indicating that the quantity is computed using a formula.

Nuances: While often translated as "is calculated" in English, arvutatakse emphasizes the procedure of computation rather than the agent performing it. It can refer to computer-based calculations or manual calculations depending on the context. For past or completed calculations, Estonian uses the past passive form arvutati (it was calculated). For future contexts, surrounding temporal adverbs or auxiliary verbs clarify the timing.

Etymology and related terms: arvutatakse derives from arvutada (to calculate) with the Estonian passive suffix -atakse. Related nouns include arvutus (calculation) and arvu­tuslik (computational). See also Estonian grammar on passive voice and the broader topic of numerical methods in Estonian technical writing.